Pencil



Jan. l2, 1.9375 H.MAUCHER PENCIL Filed Sept. l2, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 lill.

INVENTOR, [1a/116 Mancha;

H. MAUCHER PENC IL Jan. 12, 1937.

Filed Sept. l2, 1935 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VENTOR,

Patented Jaa; i2, 1937 UNri'ED STATES VPATlazNT oFFicE lClaim.

This invention relates in general to pencils of the magazine or automatic type, in which a lead is carried in movable relation to the pencil and adapted to have portions thereof protruded from the pencil as needed for use, and in particular it relates to such pencils in which a plurality of leads, which may have differing characteristics, may be selectively projected.

While my invention has been described in connection with automatic or magazine pencils, it will be understood that as to certain phases thereof it may have other applications.

Among the objects of my invention are to provide a simple and effective means for selectively projecting any desired one of a plurality of leads contained within an automatic pencil, the provision of simple and effective means for holding a carrier for a lead in its operative position and for automatically moving it into an inoperative position when released and simple and effective means for holding and adjusting a lead within a carrier therefor.

For the attainment of these objects, and such other objects as will appear or be pointed out hereinafter, I have illustrated one embodiment of my invention in the drawings, in which:-

Figure 1 is an elevational view.of my invention showing one of the lead carriers thereof in retracted position;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 except that the lead carrier is shown in projected position;

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view through the pencil, with the parts thereof positioned-as in Figure 1;

Figure 4 is a sectional view similar to that of Figure 3, but with one of the lead carriers in its projected position;

Figure 5 isa sectional View on the line 5--5 of Figure 3, looking in the direction of the arrows;

Figure 6 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale, of one of the lead carriers, and the parts associated therewith, portions thereof being broken away;

Figure 7 is a detail view, in perspective of one of the parts of the lead carrier of Figure 6, portions thereof being broken away;

Figure 8 is a detail view, in perspective, of another one of the parts of the lead carrier of Figure 6, portions thereof being broken away; and

Figure 9 is a detail, in perspective of still anotherof the parts of the lead carrier assembly of Figure 6.

My pencil, in general, comprises an outer case, shown in the drawings as cylindrical in form, al-

though it will become obvious, as the description proceeds, that it may have other forms, and within this case are shown positioned a plurality of lead carriers, any one of which may be brought into a position of use with its end, having a lead protruding therefrom, projected beyond the connes of the outer case. Means are provided to hold the lead carrier in itsv projected position, and on release of the holding means the lead carrier is automatically retracted into the casing. Means are provided in connection with each lead carrier Awhereby the position of the lead it carries may be conveniently adjusted, and the lead carrier is so mounted in the outer case that it may be readily removed therefrom, if desired, for purposes of repair, or for other reasons. AThe pencil is also provided with a magazine forholding spare leads. and the cover therefor is an eraser.

While I have mentioned a plurality of lead carriers, it will be obvious that only one lead carrier may, for certain purposes, be found desirable.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, it will be observed that an outer casing, tubular in form, and with a tapered lower portion open at its end and indicated at I2, is shown at I0. A number of lead carrier assemblies, indicated as a whole by I 4, are shown within the casing. While four of these are shown, it will be obvious that the exact number may vary within the limits set by the. relative size of the various parts and the peculiar requirements in view. A complete lead carrier assembly I4 is shown in Figure 6, and in Figures 7, 8.and 9 are shown various details thereof.

A number of slots I6 are provided inl the casing I0, and one of the lead carriers I 4 is associated with each of said slots, as will presently be explained. At its lower end each slot is widened into a portion I8, with an undercut shoulder 20, and at its upper end there is another widened portion 22. 'Ihe purpose of this construction will be explained in connection with the lead carrier assembly.

Removably positioned within the tube I0, but in such a manner that it cannot be accidentally dislodged is a magazine 24, having a hollow extension 26 at its lower end adapted to be positioned so as to cover the openings 22, and having its upper end adapted to receive a closure member 28, within which is mounted an eraser 30.

A tube 3| is shown as removably positioned on the outside of casing I0 so as to cover up the openings 22.

Passing now to the carrier assembly) particularly shown in Figure 6, it will be observed that it comprises a tube 32 (see Figure '7), shown as having longitudinally extending slots vu and 36 provided therein, and within this tube is positioned an ejector 38, shown as having projections 48 and 42 adapted to pass 58 and is adapted to turn in relation thereto, without undue play. It will be obvious that the' throughv and project beyond the slot 34, on one side thereof, and a -projection 441 similarly adapted to ,pass through and project beyond the slot 36, on the' other side thereof. 'I'he lower end 46 of the ejector is adapted to engage a lead 48, positioned within the tube 32. vIt is to beY observed thatthe lead 48 should be approximately of such a diameter that it will slide within the ltube 32, without too much freedom of motion.

. the ejector 38 will be caused to move along thetube 32, and if such Imotion is downward, it will push outward any lead 48 contained within the tube. The member 58 is shown as a shell, so that it is threaded externally as well as internally; however the external threading has no function, and member 58 might be in the form of a tube having an outer smooth wall, provided only the inner thread is present.

In order to hold member 58 against axial movement a pair of collars 52 and 54 is applied in fixed relation to tube 32, by any suitable or preferred process, such as by swaging or soldering.l It will be observed that the bore of member 58 should preferably besuch that it seats on tube number 58 must be positioned on tube 32 before the application of one or the other of the collars 52, 54.

kOn its lower end the member 58 carries a cap 56, having an opening 58 therein, and slits 68 are formed in the cap adjacent the opening 58 so as to make these .portions resilient, the cap 56 being made of suitable material for this purpose.

The opening 53 is made of such size 'that it will engage the leads 48 frictionally and resiliently (due to slits 68, and the material of the cap 56) and thereby hold them in any position of adjustment, while permitting them to slide, as when it is desired to insert a leadA 48, or to adjust it by pushing it outward by'means of the ejector 38.

The cap 56 is fixedly attached to member 58, in

any suitable or preferred manner, as by soldering, and is adapted to pass through the opening I3 in the tapered portion I2 of case I8, as shown in Figures 2 and 4. When in this position, it may be grasped by the fingers and turned, and thereby the position of the lead 48 may be adjusted.

It will of course be understood that the cap 56 must be fastened to member 58 after the latter is positioned between the collars 52 and 54. Shown as fitting into the upper end of tube 32, and held therein in any suitable or preferred manner, as by swaging or soldering, is the cylin- .called for by the. language bers 18 project without the easingv I8 and are adapted for engagement by the ngers of the user g for the purpose ofadjusting the position of the lead carriers. The size of members 18 is such that they will pass through openings 22, whereby when tube 3l and magazine 24 are removed so as to uncover said openings, the member 18 may be pushed through said opening and the .associ- V ated lead carrier assembly removed, for purposes of repair or for other reasons.

Referring now to Figures 3 and 4, it will be observed that a cylindrical cartridge 131s shown as sliding within casing I8 being urged to move upi ward therein by a compression spring 14, positioned between the tapering portion I2 of casing I8 and a'shoulder 15 formed on the upper rim of cartridge 13. The shoulders 68 of the various lead carriers are shown in Figures 3 and 4 as abutting against the shoulder 15, and it is therefore obvious that as long as the neck portions 12 are within slots I6, the spring 14 will urge all of the lead carriers I4 into the position shown in Figure 3, in which the bight portions 18 of eie- `by and the members or heads 18 are pulledinward and against the walls of casing I8, whereby sucient friction results as to hold the carrier against accidental displacement even when the pressure of spring 14 against shoulders 88 is removed.

When it is desired to project any given lead carrier th'e appropriate head 18 is moved downward until the neck portion 12 passes into the widened portion I8 of the slot I6, then it is moved to the side, so that the upper surface of neck 12 engages shoulder 28. The effect of moving head 18 downward, has been' to compress spring 14, and as a result of the upward pressure thereof against the shoulder 28, the head 18 and its associated carrier are locked in the position shown in Figure 2, with the cap 56 and the lead 48 projecting and ready for use. As already explained, the other lead carriers are held in place because ot the resilient tension of element 64.

When it is desired to use another lead, the head 12 of the projected lead carrier is disengaged from the shoulder 28, by `manipulation of the head 18, and the spring 14 acts to return it into the retracted position of Figure 3. Thereafter thedesired lead carrier may be projected as heretofore explained.

As a convenience in identifying the lead carriers, each head 18 may be appropriately marked.' For instance where leads of various colors are used, each head 18 may be marked with the color of the lead it is to be associated with.

While I have shown one embodiment of my invention it will be understood that the same may be embodied in many other forms, as will be obvious to those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit thereof, and that the disclosure herein is to be interpreted as illustrative merely and not in a limiting sense, and that I do not limit myself in any way other than as of the appended claim.

Having thus described my invention and illustrated its use, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isz- In a magazine pencil, a lead holder comprising an inner sleeve adapted to slidably receive a lead, a slot running longitudinally on each side 7| of said sleeve, a pair of abutment collars positioned on said sleeve in spaced relation, an unbroken internally threaded thin walled tubularmember positioned between said abutment collars so as to be rotatable about said sleeve and so as to be held against axial movement by said collars, a projector member slidable within said sleeve and the slot thereof and having portions thereof projecting through both of said slots and engaging said internally threaded member in threaded relationy at a `plurality of points, said member having an abutment thereon adapted to engage a lead positioned within said sleeve, resilient tubular clamp means surrounding a relatively small portion of vsaid internally threaded member and one of said collars and carried in permanently xed relation to said internally threaded member and adapted to receive a lead positioned Within said sleeve and to hold itwith a frictional grip and being adapted to be grasped and turned by caused to move axially along the sleeve, and may' engage and cause axial movement of a lead within said sleeve.

HANS MAUCHER. 

